Relevance of Bacteriophage 933W in the Development of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS).

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), principally caused by shiga toxins (Stxs), is associated with Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) infections. We previously reported Stx2 expression by host cells and . As the genes encoding the two Stx subunits are located in bacteriophage genomes, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the role of bacteriophage induction in HUS development in absence of an O157:H7 genomic background. Mice were inoculated with a non-pathogenic strain carrying the lysogenic bacteriophage 933W (C600Φ933W), and bacteriophage excision was induced by an antibiotic. The mice died 72 h after inoculation, having developed pathogenic damage typical of STEC infection. As well as renal and intestinal damage, markers of central nervous system (CNS) injury were observed, including aberrant immunolocalization of neuronal nuclei (NeuN) and increased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). These results show that bacteriophage 933W without an O157:H7 background is capable of inducing the pathogenic damage associated with STEC infection. In addition, a novel mouse model was developed to evaluate therapeutic approaches focused on the bacteriophage as a new target.